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It's been an interesting and productive 2010 and I've enjoyed writing and undertaking many speaking engagements and media appearances throughout the year. I've met some fascinating people and made lots of new friends. As 2010 draws to a close I thought it appropriate to thank my many readers, my publishers, booksellers, agents, those who have supported me in the book trade and the media, and in the libraries across the UK, the Commonwealth and the USA.  And of course I wish to thank my  friends and family for their unstinting support and encouragement.  Here is a quick round up and some of the highlights of 2010 which saw: • the publication of Blood on the Sand (number five in the DI Andy Horton marine mystery crime series) in hardcover and trade paperback with a great review from Eurocrime and Booklist in the States • the publication of Dead Man's Wharf (number four in the DI Andy Horton series) in trade paperback an...

Yesterday the sun shone, and after the torrential rain and winds of Tuesday, and before the next low pressure sweeps in, it seemed the perfect day to take a long walk and escape from the computer for several hours, as well as recover from a busy week of talks and interviews. The Isle of Wight was our destination. We intended catching the little Island Line train from Ryde Esplanade to Lake but the Ryde tunnel was flooded – almost knee deep in water – so we walked up to St Johns Station in Ryde and managed to catch the first train running after the suspension of services on Tuesday. Alighting at Lake we walked the beautiful coastal path to Whitecliff Bay then cut through to Bembridge before walking back to Ryde, stopping to eat a baguette by Bembridge Lagoons where amazingly a Red Admiral butterfly mistook me for a flower and landed right on the sleeve of my white jacket and basked there for some time soaking up the sun (just like me) before flying off. It was incredible. The walk wa...

Meanwhile it's Crime & the City, CSI Portsmouth today. I'll be joining top British crime writers, Simon Brett, Peter Lovesey, Graham Hurley and June Hampson along with forensic experts, police and SOCO at this event at John Pounds Community Centre, Portsmouth. Tickets are available on the door for the morning session only. Afternoon session sold out.  I'll be posting photographs from this event here next week. Plus a link to my interview yesterday on Portsmouth Live TV.

Good talk last night to twenty ladies from the Koinona group (which I've been told is Greek for fun and friendship).  They made me feel very welcome and I enjoyed giving my talk on how I write my crime fiction and telling them about my marine mystery crime novels. It was a pleasure to meet you all and thank you for buying so many of my crime novels. Crime author Pauline Rowson being introduced to the Koinona Group Pauline Rowson talking about her marine mystery crime and thriller novels Tomorrow I’m on Express FM on the Sally Cronin programme between 1.30 pm and 4.30pm. You can listen via the Internet on the Express FM web site or on 93.7.

A reporter from the local newspaper, The News , is coming today to interview me for an article which will appear in Friday's newspaper ahead of the Crime and the City CSI Portsmouth event in which I'm participating on Saturday 6 November along with fellow crime writers, Graham Hurley, Peter Lovesey, Simon Brett and June Hampson. On the panel we will be joined by police and forensic experts and the fingerprinting bureau will also be in attendance.  Delegates can have their fingerprints taken and pressed into a keyring to take away. A novel idea!  The event, which is broken down into two sessions (morning and afternoon) is selling extremely well, and I think the afternoon session has almost sold out. So if you want to come along you'd better book soon.  Details are on the page to the left of this blog or on my official web site . To get back to the reporter. She is also bringing a photographer, which is the worse part of the interview, it's always a dilemm...

I was made very welcome at the Southern region of the Society of Women Writers and Journalists on 22 October where I gave a talk on how I write, research and market my marine mystery crime novels and thrillers. Pauline Rowson talking to some of the members of the Southern region of the Society of Women Writers and Journalists What a lovely group of people and I was delighted to see that popular saga author Dee Williams , whom I've appeared with at a few signings was in the audience, along with crime writer, Peter Lovesey , a prolific writer with a string of awards including the Cartier Diamond Dagger for his career in crime writing and whose novels have been dramatised on television.  I'm appearing with Peter Lovesey at Crime & the City, CSI Portsmouth event on 6 November as part of Portsmouth Bookfest, and I'm very much looking forward to it. Peter Lovesey and Pauline Rowson Pauline Rowson and Dee Williams getting ready to have their phot...

Meet in the Midlands, not in St Louis, as the song goes but I won't be singing (promise) but talking about how I write my marine mystery police procedural crime novels featuring my rugged detective Inspector Andy Horton and my thrillers. On 27 September 2010 @ 2pm I'll be at the newly refurbished Perry Common Library, Birmingham. Tickets are free. Contact Perry Common Library, College Road, Birmingham West Midlands,UK B44 0HH perry.common.library@birmingham.gov.uk for more details or to book your place. Next up on 28 September 2010 @ 10am is Burton-upon-Trent Library, where I am guest author in the 'Reading Cafe' from 10 am to 12 noon. I'll again be talking about how I write my crime novels, answering questions and signing copies of my books. Do join me if you can for this informal, entertaining morning session. For further information contact: Tel: 01283 239564 paul.tovell@staffordshire.gov.uk http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/ If you would like me to speak...

I am often asked how I research my novels. I know that some writers prefer to do all their research up front before they begin writing the novel but I like to do some basic research when the idea for the novel occurs to me and while I flesh out an outline plot, and then start writing the first draft, while the research is incomplete. Why this way? Because once I have the basics of the plot, characters and research I can’t wait to start the creative writing process with an urge to complete it as quickly as possible. In fact, I often wish I could brain dump straight on to the computer without having to touch the keyboard. I then continue the research process as I write. On the first draft I often don’t know the ending or even ‘who done it’ because the whole novel doesn’t come alive until Inspector Horton starts investigating and gets into all sorts of trouble as a result. Or if it’s a thriller like In Cold Daylight or In For The Kill , until something happens to my main character, th...

I've just returned from a very long walk on the beautiful Isle of Wight, bliss, and not blisters, though the legs do ache a bit after twelve miles. That's because I haven't walked so many miles since before Christmas, but spring will soon be on its way and then there will be no stopping me. It's great to have a break from the computer and to let the mind roam free, as well as take in the beautiful countryside and get some physical exercise for a change instead of sitting in front of a computer monitor.   This morning the sun was shining  over Sandown Bay in a pale blue sky, the sea was gently rippling on to the sands and the views from Culver Cliff across the bay towards the cliffs of Shanklin in the south and from Bembridge Down across the Solent to Portsmouth in the north were spectacular as always. I find the Island a great place for inspiration with all that fresh sea air, rolling downs, coves, bays and cliffs. As many of you know my crime thrille...

I'm normally better known as the author of several crime novels including my marine mysteries featuring my detective Inspector Andy Horton, and for my stand alone crime thriller novels, In Cold Daylight and In For The Kill .  But I am also the author of three marketing books published in 2009 by Crimson, and before that the author of several sales, marketing and self-improvement books, some of which are not currently in print but are available as audio books and e books . Imagine then my surprise while browsing my titles on Amazon to find that some of my marketing/self improvement titles are being sold second hand for the outstanding amounts of £32.00, £40.00, and a staggering £88.95!  (They were orginally £9.99) Have I become rare? Oh, if I only I was getting a royalty!

I had a great time at the Christmas party this morning at the BBC Radio Solent studio in Southampton. Good fun, croissants, coffee and mince pies and Julian Clegg, of course. I was talking to Julian Clegg on The Breakfast Programme about my marine mystery crime novels, the possibility of film and television adaptations and the recent news that they are to be translated into Turkish. I met some interesting people including Hannah Watts, Young Ambassador for the London Olympic Games,an energetic and inspirational young person. She is to the left of Julian Clegg in the mauve top. It was also nice to catch up with my friend and fellow author, Ali Sparkes. Ali is on the left holding her novel, Frozen in Time , which has been shortlisted for the Blue Peter Prize with me holding Dead Man's Wharf. Thanks to Julian Clegg for all his support over the last year and to Talia Slack for her superb organisation and clip board, and to all involved with the programme including the c...

My fictional detective, Inspector Andy Horton's home patch of Portsmouth, England has reached the finals of the bid for the UK's City of Culture 2013. The neighbouring cities of Chichester and Southampton are also on the list of 14 final hopefuls, which is great news because the heroes in my stand alone crime thriller novels, In Cold Daylight and In For the Kill also visit those cities.  My novels are set on the South Coast of England. Portsmouth is my home town.  It is where I was raised and the primary setting for my contemporary marine mystery crime novels so I'm obviously going to be biased in rooting for it.  I am often asked why set my crime novels here?  Why not?  There is a belief in some publishing circles that only novels set in London are acceptable or will sell worldwide, but that is nonsense as many crime fiction fans know. Many are set in Yorkshire, Scotland, the Cotswolds and the West Country along with crime novels ...

I've just returned from a delightful visit to  Quarr Abbey , near Ryde, on the Isle of Wight as part of a specially-organised Christmas tour led by Father Luke Bell, who has written a book about the monks' daily routine, A Deep and Subtle Joy: Life at Quarr Abbey .  Along with me and my husband were approximately thirty people including a feature writer from the Daily Telegraph, who like us had crossed from the mainland.  She'd also travelled from London that morning while we only had a short drive to the Hovercraft before traversing the calm waters of the Solent.  There was also a photographer present from the Isle of Wight County Press. Quarr Abbey plays a small part in my forthcoming marine mystery crime novel, Blood on the Sand featuring my fictional detective, Inspector Andy Horton, which will be published in the UK in February 2010 and in America in April 2010. I won't say what part because I don't want to spoil the plot!  The tour as well as...

At this time of the year I like to look back over the year's major writing achievements and activities (before looking forward to the coming year) so I thought I'd do a quick round up of all that has happened regarding my writing in 2009.  Hope it doesn't bore you, but if it does you can always click off. February 2009 The Suffocating Sea , the third Inspector Andy Horton marine mystery crime novel, was published in trade paperback in February 2009. It was chosen as one of the Top Ten BEST OF BRITISH CRIME FICTION by The Book Depository, the fastest growing book distributor in Europe. I was on Angel Radio, Havant.  I was also on Wolf Radio, Wolverhampton talking about my crime novels and the unsolved murder of my Great Aunt Martha Giles who was killed fifty years ago, and my thwarted efforts to get the case re-opened. March 2009 The mass market paperback edition of Deadly Waters was published in March 2009. The second in the marine mystery seri...

Tide of Death is the first in the marine mystery series of crime fiction novels, featuring the flawed and rugged DI Andy Horton.

In for the Kill my crime thriller novel featuring Alex Albury is set on the  Isle of Wight , just five miles off Portsmouth on the south coast of England. It is a beautiful Island with lots of lovely walks and spectacular coastal views, very popular as a holiday resort in the spring and summer months, and heaven for walkers and cyclists, as well as becoming increasingly famous for its music festivals. The pace of life is slower and the Island has one of the best sunshine records of any part of Britain. It is only twenty three miles by thirteen miles and can be reached by boat, Hovercraft,(Hovertravel) or ferry (Red Funnel or Wighlink). The stretch of water between the mainland and the island is reputed to be one of the most expensive in the UK! But it's well worth the visit. My new DI Horton marine mystery crime novel, Blood on the Sand , which is being published in February 2010, is also set on the island. Horton has sailed in...

I'm happy. Why? Because my editor has just e mailed me to say how much she enjoyed my as yet unpublished new Marine Mystery DEAD MAN'S WHARF. This is the fourth Marine Mystery to feature my flawed and rugged detective DI Horton. This means there are no revisions- yippee! Why am I so pleased? Because if I have to revise one part of the book then it usually has an impact on the rest of the novel and you feel as though you are having to start writing it all over again. So, DEAD MAN'S WHARF has gone straight to copy-edit stage and will be published in the UK in hardback at the end of April 2009. And, in case you've lost track of the DI Horton Marine Mystery Crime Series, here's a re-cap: 1. Tide of Death (paperback) 2. Deadly Waters (hardback, trade paperback - that's the larger size paperback at £10.99, Large Print, Audio Book) Deadly Waters will be published as the smaller mass market paperback on 2 April 2009 at £6.99. Look out for more news and the new jacket...

In Cold Daylight has not only made it onto the World Book Day list, and the Shedworking site, http://www.shedworking.co.uk/ but has now reached the beautiful shores of New Zealand where Graham Beattie, who runs a very entertaining and informative book blog, http://www.beattiesbookblog.blogspot.com/ has written about it. What's more, In Cold Daylight, follows on from an interview with Ian Rankin. Eat your heart out kid, I'm coming up fast behind you! ( If only). Now if I had his sales perhaps I could afford to fly to New Zealand and say hi to the tons of relatives and friends who seem to be escaping Britain's green and pleasant land for a new life over there. But I'm forgetting that not only do I dislike flying and airports, but that after wittering on in the Sunday Times a couple of weeks ago about the environmental issues surrounding the expansion of Heathrow Airport it would be hypocritical of me to take to the air. However, a round-the-world cruise wouldn't ...

Much of a writer's time is spent staring into space, thinking through the plot, the characters, the next chapter of his or her novel, and being a kind of busy person who hates wasting time I thought surely I can be doing something productive other than staring into space agonising over that next tricky bit of my novel? So I go for a walk around the shore and across the fields, I clean the house, make a cake, go sailing and all the time my little brain is working hard in another space, another place, another world. But best of all, especially when the weather is grim, I take up my knitting needles. And here I am on a boat with the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth in the background, knitting. This was taken for a charity publicity stunt in aid of merchant seamen, hence the woolly hat which, by the way, I didn't knit. Knitting is very therapeutic, great fun and you also end up with a tangible product at the end of it, even if my cardigans leave a lot to be desired ( which I DID knit....

Over the weekend we heard the tragic news of the fire fighters killed in a suspected arson attack in a warehouse in Warwickshire. We all know they risk their lives to save others. They, and my fire-fighting husband, have been the inspiration for some of my characters in my novels. They were also the idea behind my crime/thriller IN COLD DAYLIGHT. In this novel fire-fighters are dying long after the heat of the blaze has been extinguished, why? The idea for IN COLD DAYLIGHT came from a story my husband told me of several men all on the same watch contracting cancer, and the same kind of cancer, around the neck and ears. What if they had all gone into a fire where they were exposed to a dangerous chemical ? In the book, fire-fighter, Jack Bartholomew dies in an arson blaze in a derelict building, and marine artist, Adam Greene, his best friend, receives a postcard from the dead man with a cryptic clue written on it. When Jack's house is ransacked on the day of the funeral, Adam can...